In a thought-provoking analysis, Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at New York University, offered his opinion on the recent election, describing it as a “referendum on the vision of masculinity to which each party aspires.” talking to Anderson Cooper on CNNGalloway attributed much of the dynamics of the election to how the candidates and campaigns resonated with certain ideals of masculinity.

His ideas shed light on a notable shift in political focus, where masculine identity and aspirations played a pivotal role, with figures such as Elon Musk embodying these ideals in the eyes of many young men. Galloway highlighted Musk’s unique appeal, calling him a “role model for most young men around the world,” whether people view it positively or not.

Musk’s achievements – launching satellites into space, revolutionizing the automotive industry and amassing enormous wealth – represent a brand of success that Galloway says attracts young men looking for a strong figure of modern masculinity. “It’s provocative and entertaining,” Galloway said, underscoring Musk’s appeal beyond financial success. Musk, he suggested, embodies a personality that young people see as a model of high-risk, self-determined ambition.

According to Galloway, former President Donald Trump cleverly tapped into this cultural current during his campaign. “The right, Trump, to his credit, embraced the manosphere,” Galloway said, crediting the Trump campaign for understanding and using this appeal effectively. “I would say this was the election of the manosphere,” he added.

Trump’s team aligned him with influential platforms within this space, particularly participating in major podcasts hosted by Joe Rogan and Lex Fridman, which are very popular with young male audiences. Rogan’s podcast, for example, attracted a staggering 40 million views on YouTube and 15 million additional downloads, generating a cumulative audience similar to the viewership of the entire MLB World Series.

“There are 55 million people who watched Donald Trump for three hours,” Galloway emphasized. This reach would have required extensive appearances on multiple prime-time news networks to achieve the same impact. Galloway argued that by tapping into this demographic, Trump amplified his influence among young men and positioned his messages effectively.

Galloway noted that Trump’s messages, especially on the financial prospects for young men, resonated deeply. Trump’s promises to improve economic conditions, particularly for young men struggling to leave their parents’ home or secure stable employment, struck a chord. “This was more of a testosterone election than a referendum on bodily autonomy,” Galloway commented, suggesting that the economic empowerment of young men took priority in these voters’ minds over other important social issues.

Reflecting on the Democratic National Convention, Galloway noted a glaring absence: young men. He noted that while the convention highlighted a variety of special interest groups, “there were no young men.” Galloway suggested this was a significant oversight, given the challenges young people face in modern society.

Citing statistics, he noted that young men are disproportionately affected by social and mental health problems: four times more likely to die by suicide, three times more likely to have addiction problems and 12 times more likely to be incarcerated. Furthermore, only one in three young men are in a relationship and there are fewer households of their own compared to single women, and young women earn more than men in urban areas under 30 years of age.

Young men are, as Galloway said, “a group that has fallen further and faster than any other in American history in the last 20 years.” Their struggles, he argued, make them more susceptible to political messages promising economic recovery and independence. “That’s why young men were among the groups that leaned toward Trump,” he said.

Social justice issues and global events, she added, often pale in comparison to families as their children struggle for employment and independence. As political parties strategize for the future, Galloway’s comments underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing the aspirations and anxieties of young men, a demographic that, he suggests, has been overlooked and underestimated in its influence on the landscape. electoral.